Dhaka: Biman Bangladesh Airlines’ third Dash-8 aircraft purchased from Canada arrived in Dhaka on March 5 afternoon. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina named the new aircraft "Shwetbalaka", said a press release from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry. aviation news bd

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali received the Dash-8 model aircraft, built by Canadian aircraft manufacturer De Havilland, at 5:36 pm at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Md Mokammel Hossain, Chairman of Biman Board of Directors Sajjadul Hasan, Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, and Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dr Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal were present on the occasion, among others. aviation news bd

Immediately after receiving the aircraft, Mahbub Ali said he is very delighted as the third Dash-8 aircraft reached home within the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The first Dash-8 aircraft out of three, purchased on a government-to-government basis from Canada, was added to Biman's fleet on December 27, 2020, while the second reached the country on February 24, 2021.

The ministry expects that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would formally inaugurate the last two new aircraft -- "Akash Tori" and "Shwetbalaka" soon. aviation news bd